Sheet-feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for selectively directing sheet material from a first sheet feed path along a second or third sheet feed path. The apparatus includes a selectively shiftable interference member to direct the sheet material along either the second or third path. The interference member may also be selectively moved in relation to the movement of the leading edge of a sheet fed along the third path so that it may be folded and then directed along the second path.

United States Patent [72] Inventors George 1). Del Vecchio 1,871,900 8/ 1932 Mentges 270/62 North Rose; 2,900,185 8/1959 Petre 270/62 Edward A. Schwartz, Fairport; Larry ill. 3,252,700 5/1966 Henry 270/81 X Warren, East Rochester, all of N.Y. 3,419,261 12/ l 968 Sjostrom 270/69 [21] P 829365 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [22] Filed June 2, 1969 45 P t t d Dec 28 Assistant Examiner-L. R. Oremland 1 a F e Attorneys-Norman E. Schrader, James J. Ralabate and [73] Assignee Xerox Corporation Michael J Comz Jr Rochester, N.Y.

ABSTRACT: Apparatus for selectively directing sheet materi- [54] APPARATUS a] from a first sheet feed path along a second or third sheet raw 3 Figs feed path. The apparatus includes a selectively shiftable inter- [52] US. Cl 270/83 ference member to direct the sheet material along either the [51] Int. Cl B65h 45/18 second or third path. The interference member may also be [50] Field of Search 270/62, 66, selectively moved in relation to the movement of the leading 69, 80-85 edge of a sheet fed along the t'iird path so that it may be folded and then directed along the second path. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,152,259 8/1915 Allen 270/62 c o o 24 A e o ,6 0 g L 20 a a w o D o I3 mama] my.

SHEET 1 [IF 5 FIG. I

INVENTORS GEORGE D. DEL VECCHIO EDWARD A. SCHWARTZ BY LARRY H.WARREN A T TORNEV PATENTED 05528 19?! SHEET 2 [IF 5 PATENTEU UEC28 197i 3,630,514

sum u [1F 5 FIG. 6

SHEET-FEEDING APPARATUS This invention relates to a sheet handling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for directing a moving sheet along a first or second sheet feed path in an unfolded condition or for folding the sheet and directing it along the second sheet feed path.

In the process of xerography, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691 to Chester F. Carlson, a xerographic surface comprising a layer of photoconductive insulating material affixed to a conductive backing is used to support electrostatic images. In the usual method of carrying out the process, the xerographic surface is electrostatically charged uniformly over its surface and then exposed to a light pattern of the image being reproduced to thereby discharge the charge in the areas where light strikes the layer. The undischarged areas of the layer thus form an electrostatic charge pattern in conformity with the configuration of the original light pattern.

The latent electrostatic image can be then developed by contacting it with a finely divided electrostatically attractable material such as a powder. The powder is held in image areas by the electrostatic charges on the layer. Where the charge field is greatest, the greatest amount of material is deposited; where the charge field is least, little or no material is deposited. Thus a powder image is produced in conformity with the light image of copy being reproduced. The powder is subsequently transferred to a sheet of paper or other surface and suitably affixed thereto to form a permanent print.

Most xerographic equipment in commercial use today is adapted to make reproductions on sheet material and then direct the copy sheet toward a copy catch tray communicating with exterior of the machine. In all instances the sheet material is deposited in the copy catch tray in an unfolded state. While this is normally satisfactory, it has been found desirable to automatically fold some sheets, which are of a size larger than letter size (8%Xll inch) and legal size (8%Xl3 inch) prior to their movement from the machine. It has also been found desirable to provide a plurality of trays and then to direct the copy to a preselected catch tray when making copies on a wide variety of copy sheet sizes. I

The present invention is directed to apparatus for directing sheet material towards a preselected one of a plurality of copy catch trays and for selectively folding the larger copy sheets. Automatic control means are provided to effect the directing of the sheet material to one of the catch trays as well as for selectively folding the sheet material fed to one of the catch trays.

It is therefore an object of the instant invention to handle sheet material.

It is a further object of the instant invention to forward sheet material to a preselected one of a plurality of copy catch trays.

It is a further object of the instant invention to selectively direct sheet material along an alternate feed path in a folded or unfolded state.

It is a further object of the instant invention to fold copy material prior to its movement to exterior of a reproducing machine.

It is a further object of the invention to feed sheet material along a first or second sheet feed path with the sheet material being fed along the second feed path in a folded or unfolded state.

These and other objects of the instant invention are attained in accordance with the present invention by apparatus for selectively feeding sheet material along a primary or secondary sheet feed path. The apparatus includes sheet forwarding means and a shiftable member and selectively operable means therefore. This permits sheet material to be directed to either sheet feed path in its received condition. The shiftable member may also be moved in timed relation to the movement of the leading edge of the fed sheet so that it may be folded and directed along the secondary sheet feed path in a folded condition.

Further objects of this invention together with additional features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a continuous and automatic reproducing machine employing the sheet-handling assembly of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the xerographic reproducing machine as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of the sheet handling assembly;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the elements taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the sheet feed paths and FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of the programming mechanisms for the sheet-handling apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown schematically in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the subject invention in a suitable environment such as an automatic xerographic reproducing machine. The automatic xerographic reproducing machine includes a xerographic plate or surface 10 formed in the shape of a drum. The plate has a photoconductive layer or light receiving surface on a conductive backing, joumaled in a frame to rotate in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2. The rotation causes the plate surface to sequentially pass a series of xerographic processing stations. For the purpose of the present disclosure, the several xerographic processing stations in the path of movement of the plate surface may be described functionally as follows:

A charging station A, at which a uniform electrostatic charge is deposited on the photoconductive plate;

An exposure station B, at which light or radiation pattern of copy to be reproduced is projected onto the plate surface to dissipate the charge in the exposed areas thereof to thereby form a latent electrostatic image of the copy to be reproduced;

A developing station C at which xerographic developing material, including toner particles having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the latent electrostatic image, is cascaded over the plate surface whereby the toner particles adhere to the latent electrostatic image to form a toner image in configuration of the copy being reproduced;

A transfer station D at which the toner image is electrostatically transferred from the plate surface to a sheet of transfer material; and

A drum cleaning and discharge station E at which the plate surface is brushed to remove residual toner particles remaining thereon after image transfer and exposed to a relatively bright light source to effect substantially complete discharge of any residual electrostatic charge remaining thereon.

It is felt that the preceding description of the xerographic process is sufficient for an understanding of the instant invention. Further details of the xerographic apparatus may be had by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,126 issued to Osborne et al.

In addition to the above described apparatus disclosed in the Osborne et al. patent, the xerographic machine may be provided with a dual sheet supporting assembly 12 of the type disclosed in application, Ser. No. 829,607 filed concurrent herewith in the name of George D. DelVecchio et al. This permits the creation of copy on sheets of various sizes. The overall sheet conveying assembly may be of the type disclosed in application, Ser. No. 829,606 filed concurrently herewith in the name of George D. DelVecchio. et al.

Sheet material passed from one of the trays 13, 15 of the sheet supporting assembly 12 is passed through transfer station D whereat it receives a toner image of the document being reproduced. The toner image is then fused to the sheet material by a heated pressure roll fuser 16 in the conventional fashion. The fuser includes a driven roller to assist in advancing the sheet material toward the sheet directing and folding station 18.

This sheet material with its fused toner image may then be directed along a first sheet feed path 20 to copy catch tray 22 communicating with exterior of the machine. In the alternative, the sheet directing and folding station 18 may direct the sheet material in a folded or unfolded condition along a second sheet feed path 24 to a second copy catch tray 26 also communicating with exterior of the machine.

Moved sheet material, with its toner image, is guided between the rollers of fuser 16 toward the sheet directing and folding station 18 through guide plates 28 and 30 which funnel towards rolls 32 and 34. This portion of the sheet feed path is common regardless of whether sheets are to be moved along the first sheet feed path to catch tray 22 or along the second sheet feed path to catch tray 26. Rolls 32 and 34 move the sheet toward a sheet deflector member 36. When the sheet deflector member 36 is resiliently held in the retracted position, as shown in the broken line showing of FIG. 3, the sheet material is fed along the first sheet feed path toward the first copy catch tray 22. The sheet is guided in this movement by closely spaced plate members 38 and 40. Roller 42, driven at the same linear velocity as rollers 32 and 34 and the fuser rollers by chain 45 off of any convenient power source, not shown, cooperates with idler rollers 43 to move the sheet material in this direction.

When, however, the sheet deflector member 36 is energized to the raised or solid line position as shown in FIG. 3, it will interfere with the path of movement of sheet material toward the first sheet feed path to divert it upwardly along the second sheet feed path. Movement of the sheet material is effected through idler roller 32 in driving contact with roller 44 which is driven off of chain 45. The rotational motion imparted to idler roller 32 by driven roller 44, moves roller 34 by its frictional contact. Guide plates 46 and 48 direct the movement of the sheet material toward roller 50 driven by belt 45, and idler roll 52, in rolling contact therewith, toward supplemental guiding plates 53 to move the sheet material along the second sheet feed path toward the second copy catch tray 26.

Roller 44 is driven at the same surface velocity as driven rollers 42 and 43 and the fuser rollers by any convenient power source, as for example, the main serpentine drive chain of the machine as described for example in the aforementioned Osborne et al. patent. The rotation of roller 44 frictionally contacts roller 32 to rotate it, which, in turn frictionally contacts roller 34 to cause its rotation. Mounted for rotation with roller 44 is sprocket 54 having chain 45 mounted thereon to drive sprocket 58. Sprocket 58 rotates with roller 50 so as to permit a constant rate of speed of the fed document along the second sheet feed path 24. Driven belt 62 moves the fed sheet from guide plates 53 to the second copy catch tray 26. Further details of the sheet feeding mechanisms may be had by reference to copending application, Ser. No. 829,606 filed concurrently herewith in the name of George D. DelVecchio et al.

When the sheet directing plate 36 is held in the interference position by solenoid SOL-l6 as shown in the solid line position of H6. 3 and the leading edge of a sheet is moved into contact therewith, the sheet will be directed towards the second copy catch tray in an unfolded orientation. It is also possible to program the apparatus, in a manner yet to be described, so that the leading edge of sheet material will move along the first sheet feed path to contact finger 66 of solenoid SOL-l6 to pulse the sheet deflector plate 36 into the interference position described above. When this occurs, the sheet material will be folded at an intermediate position to direct a central portion of the fed sheet material along the second sheet feed path. At this time rollers 32, 34 and 44 and the fuser rollers are advancing the sheet since the leading edge of the sheet has not yet reached rollers 42 and 43. This mode of operation permits the folding of sheet material along a line transverse to the direction of sheet feed movement to direct a folded sheet of material toward the second catch tray.

The rollers 50 and 52 as well as rollers 32 and 34 and 44 are cylindrical in shape and formed with a surface of rubber or the like to increase traction with respect to each other and with the sheet material being fed to effect proper movement thereof. Roller 34, as more clearly seen in FIG. 4, includes a shaft portion 68 of a reduced diameter. Rubber faced rings 70 are mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith to effect the movement of sheets in communication with it. In cooperable relationship with the ringed roller 34 is the deflector plate 36 which is formed with an imperforate base section 72 and spaced finger sections 74. These finger sections are oriented to move within the recessed portions of roller 34 when deflector plate 36 is in an interference position. With this construction, a positive interference relationship is established between the deflector plate 36 and sheet material to be directed upwardly along the second sheet feed path. The portion of the deflector plate 36 interconnecting the imperforate plate section 60 and fingers 62 is rounded so that when it is pulsed to urge a central portion of sheet material toward rollers 32 and 44, it will initiate a smooth bend at the appropriate section of the paper for its being gripped and forwarded by rollers 32 and 44 to cause its folding without the ripping of the paper.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base portion of the deflector plate is mounted on a rocking member 76 mounted for pivotal movement on fixed shaft 78. A spring member 80 tends to pivot the rocking member 76 to hold the deflector plate 36 in the retracted position at all times. The plunger member 82 of solenoid S-l6, when pulsed, pivots the rocking member against the action of the spring to drive the deflector plate member 36 into the interference position.

The programmed operation of the deflector plate 36 is effected by the control circuitry shown in FIG. 6. When it is desired to feed smaller sheet material from the sheet support assembly 12, it is generally desired that such small sheet material not be folded. In this case, the depression of the .A" button 86, in addition to presenting the tray 13 with the smaller sheets for being fed, energizes relay K58. Energization of K58 closes contact K58l to hold in K58. This also closes contact K58-3A so that SOL-l6 is energized. This holds the sheet diverting member 36 in an interference position to divert all fed sheet material up the second sheet path 24 to the second copy catch tray 26.

When the B button is depressed, larger sheet material is presented for being fed from the second tray 15 of the sheet support assembly 12. [n this instance, it may be desirable to fold the sheet material. With the "B" button 88 on the machine console depressed, relay K58 is deenergized. In this condition, the method of operation of the diverter plate 36 is dependent upon the state of the relay K68. With the FOLDER OFF" button 91 depressed, relay K68 is energized being held in by contact K68-l. Solenoid SOL-l6 is therefore continuously deenergized because K58-3A is in its normally open state and K68-3 has been opened by the energization of K68. Thus the diverter plate is in its out of the way position so that the fed sheet material will move along the first sheet feed path 20 toward the first copy catch tray 22.

With the 8" button 88 depressed and the FOLDER 0N" button 90 depressed, K68 is not energized. The state of SOL-l6 is thus dependent on the state of LS-36. The leading edge of the sheet striking the finger 66 of switch LS-36 will energize SOL-l6 through K68-3 and K583B causing diverter plate 36 to move into an interference position to contact the sheet material at its central portion and drive it upwardly into the rolls 32 and 44 to cause the folding of the sheet material and its feeding along the second sheet feed path 24.

In a preferred embodiment 8%Xll or 855x13 inch copy sheets with their short dimension in the direction of sheet feed would be positioned on the tray to be forwarded and received the toner image if the A button 86 were depressed. In this condition solenoid SOL-16 would be energized to divert all the copy upwardly to the second copy catch tray regardless of the state of the folder buttons. The second sheet support tray would be provided with llXl7 inch copy sheets for receiving the toner images. The longer dimension would be in the direction of sheets for being forwarded. But the depression of the B button depressed and the FOLDER OFF button 90 depressed, solenoid SOL-l6 is deenergized to permit the movement of unfolded sheets to the first copy catch tray 22 regardless of the state of switch LS-36. With the B button depressed and the "FOLDER 0N" button 91 depressed, the position of the interference member is dependent on the state of switch L546. Solenoid SOL-l6 is normally deenergized to hold the interference member in a withdrawn position until LS-36 is tripped by the leading edge of a sheet to energize SOL-16 and drive the diverter plate into interference position for folding the sheet at its central portion and directing it to the second catch tray 26. To operate with the X17 inch sheets in the B tray, the finger 66 of LS-36 would be positioned 8%inches downstream from the nip of the sheet folding rollers 32 and 44 to thus fold the sheet into two equal sections.

As can be understood from the foregoing description, the sheet directing and folding assembly is easily adapted to direct output from a xerographic reproducing machine or the like to one of a plurality of copy catch trays in a folded or unfolded condition.

While the instant invention as to its objects and advantages has been described as carried out in a specific embodiment thereof, it is not intended to be limited thereby but to be covered broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Sheet feeding and folding apparatus including first sheet-feeding means to move sheet material along a first sheet feed path,

second sheet-feeding means positioned to move sheet material along a second sheet feeding path between an entrance being adjacent the exit portion of the first sheet feed path and a collecting means,

third sheet-feeding means adapted to move sheet material along a third sheet feeding path having an entrance portion adjacent said first and second sheet feed paths,

an interference member positioned operative proximity to said first, second and third sheet feed paths,

means to move said interference member between a first position whereby sheet material moving along said first sheet feed path in an unfolded condition and a second position whereby sheet material moving along said first sheet feed path is directed along said third sheet feed path in an unfolded condition and a second position whereby sheet material moving along said first sheet feed path is directed along said second sheet feed path in an unfolded position, and

means along said second sheet feed path operatively responsive to sensing the leading edge of sheet material thereat to move said interference member from said second position to said first position to there by fold the fed sheet at a central portion and direct the fed sheet along said third sheet feed path in a folded condition.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including means to inactivate said last mention means so that the sensing of the leading edge of the sheet material thereby will not move said interference member from said second position to said first position.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including control means to selectively hold said interference member in said first or second position.

d. Sheet feeding apparatus including a first roller means,

a second roller means mounted in rolling contact with said first roller means,

third roller means mounted in rolling contact with said first roller means,

means to drive at least one of said roller means whereby the other two of said roller means are driven by frictional contact therewith,

an interference member movable between a first position whereby sheet material moves between said first and second rollers will be directed between said first and third rollers and a second position whereby sheet material moved between said first and second rollers will be moved along an alternate path of travel into a collecting means first control means to selectively hold said interference 

1. Sheet feeding and folding apparatus including first sheet-feeding means to move sheet material along a first sheet feed path, second sheet-feeding means positioned to move sheet material along a second sheet feeding path between an entrance being adjacent the exit portion of the first sheet feed path and a collecting means, third sheet-feeding means adapted to move sheet material along a thIrd sheet feeding path having an entrance portion adjacent said first and second sheet feed paths, an interference member positioned operative proximity to said first, second and third sheet feed paths, means to move said interference member between a first position whereby sheet material moving along said first sheet feed path in an unfolded condition along said second and a second position whereby sheet material moving along said first sheet feed path is directed along said second sheet feed path in an unfolded position, and means along said second sheet feed path operatively responsive to sensing the leading edge of sheet material thereat to move said interference member from said second position to said first position to there by fold the fed sheet at a central portion and direct the fed sheet along said third sheet feed path in a folded condition.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including means to inactivate said last mention means so that the sensing of the leading edge of the sheet material thereby will not move said interference member from said second position to said first position.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including control means to selectively hold said interference member in said first or second position.
 4. Sheet feeding apparatus including a first roller means, a second roller means mounted in rolling contact with said first roller means, third roller means mounted in rolling contact with said first roller means, means to drive at least one of said roller means whereby the other two of said roller means are driven by frictional contact therewith, an interference member movable between a first position whereby sheet material moves between said first and second rollers will be directed between said first and third rollers and a second position whereby sheet material moved between said first and second rollers will be moved along an alternate path of travel into a collecting means, first control means to selectively hold said interference members in said first or second position, and sensing means responsive to sheet material moved along the alternate path of travel prior to said collecting means to move said interference member from said second position to said first position so that a central portion of said sheet material may be directed between said first and third roller means for being folded and fed thereby.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and further including second control means to selectively inactivate said sensing means. 